Benignity

That’s a word you don’t see often.  It means the act of being kind or gentle – of being benign.  Mary Baker Eddy says, “The benign thought of Jesus, finding utterance in such words as ‘Take no thought for your life,’ would heal the sick, and so enable them to rise above the supposed necessity for physical thought-taking and doctoring;”  (see Science and Health page 365)  Imagine that.  A kind thought can heal the sick!  Not only that, but it can lift one above even worrying about sickness.

Jesus was more than kind however.  He was also clear.  The Bible says that “with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.” (see Mark 1:27)  That authority was the Christ and it defeated the malignancy of disease, as well as of hypocrisy and deceit.  It enabled Jesus to withstand the crucifixion and make the hearts of his disciples burn with hope.

Jesus’ teachings are still valid today, and their benignity is an ever present force for good.  Striving to be harmless doesn’t make one a pansy – it actually becomes an armor against harm.  It’s not about placating either.  It’s simply about knowing the real truth – the Christ Truth – behind every lie.

Go ahead.  Practice some benignity.  And see if it doesn’t bring a little more light into the world.

Melissa Hayden is a Christian Science practitioner in Salem, OR. You can find more information and additional articles at this link.  If you like what you’re reading, click the “add me” button.

Eternity

Whenever someone signs up to follow this blog, I always like to find out a little more about them.  Recently, a Canadian photographer joined my followers, and upon checking out his website I was greeted with the most stunning display of photographs I have seen in a long time.  Most of them are of nature – rugged and fierce, or still and serene – but there are people and place shots too.  (see http://hikingphoto.com/)

What occurred to me as I viewed them was how each picture captures a single moment in time.  Beyond that instant, the view will change – perhaps imperceptibly – but the subject matter (and the photographer) will never be exactly the same.  Fast or slow, change is inevitable.

There is only one thing that will never change: God.  James in the Bible says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”  (see chapter 1)  Have you considered how profound that is?

That which is absolutely good, omnipotent Love, omnipresent Spirit, almighty Truth, all-inclusive Life will not vary, nor will there even be a hint of inconsistency.  This describes a God you can always rely on.  One Who is readily available and immediately present.  And never fails.  For all eternity.

Could there be anything better?

Melissa Hayden is a Christian Science practitioner in Salem, OR. You can find more information and additional articles at this link.  If you like what you’re reading, click the “add me” button.

In one ear…

…and out the other.  You’ve heard the adage.  And it wouldn’t be a familiar saying if we couldn’t all relate to it.  Right?

The Apostle James says, “if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”  (see chapter 1)

Doesn’t James seem to indicate that the perfect law of liberty enables you to remember who you really are?  And that in remembering, you are accomplishing that which blesses?  It’s a pretty powerful correlation, don’t you think?

Jesus was so clear about who he was that it enabled him to remember the pure and true identities of everyone he came across – which is why he was so easily able to restore them to their original health and goodness.  He didn’t forget that he was about his Father’s business.  And every deed and word was a blessing.  His admonition to us was “go and do thou likewise.”  (see Luke 10:37)  That’s a very tall order, some would say, impossible.

Yet James gives a pretty clear recipe for our success.  1) Look into the law of liberty.  2) Keep looking.  3) Don’t forget that your job, even your purpose, is to bless.

And the law of liberty?  Jesus explained it best when he said, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.   And thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (see Matt. 22:37-39)  Don’t let that go in one ear and out the other.  Remember who you really are – a doer of the blessing.

Melissa Hayden is a Christian Science practitioner in Salem, OR. You can find more information and additional articles at this link.  If you like what you’re reading, click the “add me” button.

Fresh!

Isn’t that a great word?  To me, it connotes things that are good and clean.  The Online American Heritage Dictionary adds “not encountered before; not stale or spoiled.”  It’s more than just new and different though – there’s a certain vitality to it.

Mary Baker Eddy once wrote, “Let us…shape our views of existence into loveliness, freshness, and continuity, rather than into age and blight.” (see Science and Health page 246) This is a remarkable statement because it makes the strong point that we can CHOOSE and form our views of existence.  Rather than thinking all the same thoughts as before – as many as 10,000 of them in any given day – let’s begin to freshen up our thinking a bit.  Let’s select thoughts that are more life enhancing and joyful.  Let’s be deliberate in seeking a fresher outlook, one that lifts and improves.  One that heals!

In Matthew 6, Jesus gave the remarkable imperative “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”  A more modern version might be, “look for what God is thinking and take on His viewpoint.  Then, all your other thoughts and desires and hopes will naturally fall into place, abundantly satisfied.”

Melissa Hayden is a Christian Science practitioner in Salem, OR. You can find more information and additional articles at this link.  If you like what you’re reading, click the “add me” button.